Psychiatric service dogs (PSDs) are remarkable animals. Not only can these specially trained dogs perform complex tasks for their handler, but their highly attuned senses mean they can pick up the minutest of changes in a person’s emotional or physiological state. This makes them ideal service animals for people with mental health issues.
For individuals with schizophrenia, PSDs provide a vital role. People with this psychiatric condition often struggle with imbalances in emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, making daily life a challenge. Psychiatric service dogs not only perform necessary tasks for their handler, but they also provide guidance, comfort, and support.
If you are curious about getting a psychiatric service dog, this article provides information about how these special animals can help people with schizophrenia.
A psychiatric service dog (PSD) is a type of service animal that is specifically trained to assist individuals with psychiatric conditions or learning disabilities. This includes conditions such as schizophrenia, autism, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. These special animals not only help with important tasks and day-to-day living, but they also provide emotional support for the owner.
Schizophrenia is a set of neurological disorders that impact a person’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Affecting roughly 1.2% of the US population, this condition can impair a person’s life in areas of work, social interactions, relationships, and more.
While there are several different types of schizophrenia, there is a cluster of general symptoms, and these can range in severity:
Due to the changes in perception that individuals with schizophrenia can experience, psychiatric service dogs play a crucial role in helping them stay focused and grounded. This includes being able to detect changes in their handler’s emotional and perceptual state, learning specific commands in emergencies, and guiding the owner to safety if needed. Therefore, their primary role is to assist, support, and protect.
Psychiatric service dogs can be trained to perform a wide array of duties. Below are some of the key tasks that PSDs perform when working with a handler with schizophrenia.
One of the most important tasks a PSD does is fetch medications and/or remind their handler to take it. This can be done as part of a daily routine or in cases of an emergency where a handler may suddenly need a special type of medication to calm down or ease psychotic symptoms. Psychiatric service dogs are trained to know the location of the medication and to fetch it through specific commands.
Individuals with schizophrenia can experience hallucinations or altered perceptions which make entering a room a frightening experience. Psychiatric service dogs are trained to do a room search in an unfamiliar area and will let the handler know if the space is clear or not. For example, they can bark if someone else is in the room. Conversely, if they return without barking, it means the room is safe to enter.
A psychiatric service dog can also ease anxiety for their handlers during a psychotic episode. Dogs have highly attuned senses and can pick up on the slightest changes in their handler’s emotional and perceptual state. If a PSD senses their handler is anxious because of a hallucination, they can disrupt the episode by pawing, nudging, or licking them.
PSDs can also be trained to perform what’s known as “deep pressure therapy,” where they apply their whole body onto the handler. This acts like a weighted blanket, helping to prevent an anxious episode from escalating and encouraging the handler to focus on the dog rather than on what’s triggering their anxiety.
Depending on the type of schizophrenia, some individuals experience hallucinations where they see things that aren’t there, or they will have delusions that cause them to feel that they are being threatened or persecuted. During these states, a PSD can interrupt the process or redirect the handler’s attention through physical contact or barking.
While it may not eliminate the psychotic symptoms completely, the physical contact comforts the handler and redirects their attention. This type of redirection is often more effective in individuals who have mild hallucinations or have some ability to differentiate their hallucinations from reality.
Individuals with schizophrenia can find social interaction difficult to navigate. If a handler is nervous in public, the psychiatric service dog can create a shield by keeping their body close. Not only does this provide a sense of security, but it can block other people from the owner’s personal space as they place their body in strategic places. PSDs, in these instances, can also help ease social interactions and help the handler feel calmer around other people.
Psychiatric service dogs are also trained to seek help in an emergency. For example, if a handler falls, collapses, or has an attack, a PSD can retrieve a cell phone or press a panic button. They can also fetch a bystander or first responder and lead them to the right area, especially if the handler is out of view.
While psychiatric service dogs differ from emotional service animals (ESA) that primarily provide emotional support, the presence of a PSD provides a great deal of comfort to the handler. Many people with mental health issues struggle with feelings of anxiety and fear; therefore, PSDs provide emotional support through their presence and by helping the owner with daily tasks.
If you have been diagnosed with schizophrenia and feel you would benefit from a psychiatric service dog, there are several things you can do. The first is to contact your licensed mental health professional to obtain a letter of recommendation stating the reasons they feel you are a good candidate for a PSD. Alternatively, US Service Animals (USSA) can put you in direct contact with a licensed mental health professional in your state.
Once you’ve qualified and received a doctor’s letter of support, you can apply for a psychiatric service dog at any local animal service agency. Along with your doctor’s letter, you’ll need to provide proof that you can financially and physically care for the animal. In some cases, you will also need to attend an interview.
Psychiatric service dogs make a world of difference to those who struggle with mental health conditions. By helping them with complex tasks and providing support and guidance, these special animals can help individuals gain a sense of control over their lives. Not only can they calm the anxieties of their handler, but they can support them through difficult scenarios and help build their confidence.
However, like all animal-human companionships, taking on a psychiatric service dog is also a big commitment. Before you take the leap, it is worth discussing the details with an animal service agency to find out whether it’s a good fit for your needs and lifestyle. It’s also worth reviewing the criteria to qualify and the financial commitments to make sure you’re prepared.